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Prepping for H&S advice

Most small businesses are pretty well placed to take care of their own H&S needs. However, some businesses may feel more comfortable getting specialist help — particularly if they work in risky industries or have more complicated or technical issues to deal with. Here’s a guide to getting the kind of H&S help you need.

Questions to ask yourself before using an H&S advisor

You’re likely to save time, money and frustration by asking the following questions:

Do I even need expert help?

An essential first step in making work healthy and safe is finding out what your workers, colleagues and industry body know about H&S issues. By doing this first, you might discover that you don’t even need to pay for external help.

H&S issues are often invisible. Keep an eye out for less obvious risks, such as loud noises, solvents, stress, air quality and fatigue.

Questions to ask a potential H&S advisor

If expert help is what you need, asking these questions will help you choose the right person for the job:

Can I get a quote first?

If you ring a plumber for help, you ask for a quote first. The same goes for H&S consultants, so shop around. Just remember, cheaper doesn’t mean better. Whoever you go with should still have the right experience and qualifications.

Can I see examples of your H&S work for similar clients?

Ring a few advisors who seem a good fit for your needs, and ask if they can give examples of similar H&S work they’ve done recently.

Can I check your credentials?

Unfortunately, not all H&S advisors give good advice, or are even accredited. Before handing over any money, check that they’re competent to advise you on your particular H&S needs.

Can I contact previous customers?

Make sure your advisor can do all they say they can. Check if they have a history of providing practical H&S advice that supports business operations. Getting recommendations from other customers is a good way to go about this.